News Release: Coast Guard to hold public meeting for waterways review in Punta Gorda, Fla.

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Coast Guard to hold public meeting for waterways review in Punta Gorda, Fla.

WHO: The Coast Guard
WHAT: Public meeting to discuss Aids to Navigation
WHEN: 6 p.m., Jan.15, 2015.
WHERE: Laishley Park Municipal Marina Community Room, 120 Laishley Ct., Punta Gorda, Florida, 33950.

CHARLOTTE HARBOR, Fla. – The Coast Guard is scheduled to hold a public meeting to discuss the current Waterways Analysis and Management System (WAMS) in the Charlotte Harbor area Jan. 15, 2014.

The review consists of Charlotte Harbor, including Boca Grande Pass and the southern, navigable waters of the Peace and Myakka Rivers that are marked by Coast Guard Aids to Navigation.

The WAMS process is an essential component of both the Aids to Navigation Program and the Marine Transportation System. Coast Guard officials use WAMS to validate the adequacy of the existing aids to navigation systems and to get a better understanding of the uses of each waterway and general safety issues. WAMS focuses on the waterway’s present Aids to Navigation system, marine casualty information, port and harbor resources, changes in recreational and commercial marine vessel usage and future dredging and development projects.

This is an opportunity for the public to recommend changes for improvements of Aids to Navigation, federal publications and nautical charts within the area.

For more information, contact Chief Warrant Officer Darren Pauly, 813- 228-2191 Ext 8184 or darren.a.pauly@uscg.mil

Posted by pearl SWFMIA News

The 42nd Annual Fort Myers Boat Show Set to Make a Splash!

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Southwest Florida’s largest and most anticipated boat show returns for it’s 42nd annual exhibition of boats, equipment and seminars. The event will be held in the Harborside Event Center and the City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin Thursday, Nov. 13 through Sunday, Nov. 16. The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

“Few other shows in the country are able to offer both indoor and in-water viewing of boats and accessories.” says show manager, John Good. “This promises to be our largest in-water display in many years!”

The Harborside Event Center will be filled to capacity with boats and marine accessories. A new accessory display area has also been added along Hendry Street facing the marina. This leads to the “Welcome to the Water” Boating Lifestyle area in the City Pier Building on the river.

Fishing, Diving, Paddlesports, Boat Maintenance Tips and other boating how-to information will be on display inside and outside. Local fishing expert Fishin’ Frank will host a series of seminars covering techniques to catch many popular Gulf Coast species. Frank’s guides will be on hand throughout the show to offer advice on making the most of your fishing time on the water. The popular “Fishing Simulator” returns giving show visitors the chance to catch everything from bass to billfish.

Saturday and Sunday, one of Florida’s top divers, Jim “Chiefy” Mathie will hold seminars on spear fishing and catching lobster. Mathie is the author of two books, “Catching the Spear-it” and “Catching the Bug” that offer detailed information on improving your diving skills.

Boats however are still the show’s main draw. Every type of boat from kayaks and inflatables to yachts and everything in between. There will be more than 40 companies displaying boats, representing more than 90 boat lines, plus over 40 brokerage boats in-water.

Food and beverages will be available inside the event as well as several new downtown restaurants. Admission is $10.00 per person, per day and free for children under 16 with a paid adult admission. Tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information about the show, click here.

Posted by pearl SWFMIA News

UPDATE: Draft Impact Statement released on rail project!

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A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been released by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for the proposed All Aboard Florida Passenger Rail Project – All Aboard Florida – Operations LLC (AAF). The purpose of this DEIS is to evaluate the consequences that the construction and operation of the passenger rail project will have on the environment between Orlando and West Palm Beach. There will be eight Public Information Meetings held by the FRA which will give the public a chance to ask questions and leave written comments on the DEIS.

For additional information on this project visit – http://tcrpc.org/special_projects/AAF/AAF4914.html.

Posted by pearl SWFMIA News

SWFMIA 2014 Annual Dinner Gallery

SWFMIA’s 2014 Annual Dinner at Harborside Event Center was a huge success and was the most well attended to date! Participants enjoyed catching up with other members along with participating in our Chinese and silent auctions and 50/50 raffle. During the dinner, updates were given on the state of the association and industry from several key members. Thanks to everyone who joined us – we look forward to next year’s event! 

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Posted by pearl SWFMIA News

SWFMIA PRESS RELEASE

Regional marine industry names Justin McBride as Member of the Year

 

Fort Myers, FL, Sept. 26, 2014 — Justin McBride was named Member of the Year for The Southwest Florida Marine Industries Association at its recent annual dinner in Fort Myers. McBride is the Coastal Project Manager for Lee County’s Division of Natural Resources Marine Program and a long-serving Member of SWFMIA’s Board of Directors.

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“We are very fortunate to have Justin serving on our board,” SWFMIA President Hans Wilson said. “He brings a valuable perspective as a part of local government and an avid boater.”

Among many accomplishments, McBride is responsible for publishing the popular Lee County Boater’s Guide, a comprehensive guide to boating information for residents and visitors. He also helped create the smart-phone app for the Boater’s Guide. McBride and the staff of Lee County Natural Resources Marine Division handle aids to navigation, abandoned vessels, beach management, artificial reefs and manatee protection.

For more than 40 years, the Southwest Florida Marine Industries Association has represented the interests of the marine industry. For information, contact John Good at john@swfmia.com or (239) 656-7083.

Posted by pearl SWFMIA News

Security Alert

We just received some footage from a local break-in this weekend. We advise everyone to please keep their guard up, luckily they only managed to get a steering wheel before noticing the cameras and leaving.

Posted by pearl SWFMIA News

BOATER ALERT

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BOATER ALERT: The USCG is surveying the boating community to see what impact a change in bridge opening schedules will have on boaters. This is being driven by All Aboard Florida which is a public/private passenger rail project (Florida East Coast Industries) that connects Miami with Orlando in three hours. Several waterways are impacted, including New River in Ft. Lauderdale, Loxahatchee River in Jupiter and St. Lucie River in Stuart. Trains are stated to be less than 1,000 feet long and capable of crossing each waterway in less than 60 seconds, but it will result in the train bridges being closed over ten hours a day, with most of the rail traffic taking place when boating is also at its peak traffic hours. This does not include the existing commercial rail traffic.

Click to download the Seventh Coast Guard District, Navigation Survey.

Posted by pearl Member News SWFMIA News

SWFMIA Annual Dinner

IMPORTANT! Due to a very strong response from our members and guests, we have moved Wednesday’s dinner across the street from the City Pier back to Harborside (1375 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901). Looks like this will be our biggest Annual Dinner ever.

INVITE ANNUAL MEETING 0914

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 17th for our Annual Meeting at the City Pier building on the Caloosahatchee in downtown Fort Myers. Cocktails, Dinner, a candidates “Meet and Greet” prior to elections, an auction to raise funds for our scholarship/community donation fund, and our “State of the Association” Presentation. Please RSVP by emailing Laura@swfmia.com.

Posted by pearl Member News SWFMIA News